AirAsia Group's subsidiary AirAsia X, which operates medium- and long-haul flights, is officially launching a new direct flight route between Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen and Kuala Lumpur. This new route represents an important milestone in strengthening travel, trade, and tourism ties between Southeast Asia and Turkey via Malaysia.

AirAsia X will begin operating four weekly round-trip flights between the two cities using Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft starting November 14, 2025. The new route offers an affordable and convenient travel alternative for passengers, students, and business travelers in both regions.

As part of the launch, AirAsia X is offering promotional one-way fares starting from 9,999 TL for a limited number of seats and one-way fares starting from 35,100 TL for its award-winning Premium Flatbed class. Tickets, which went on sale on October 17, are valid for travel between November 14, 2025, and September 14, 2026, and can be purchased until November 9, 2025. Reservations can be made via airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.

This new route, connecting East and West, represents an important growth step for AirAsia X. The airline, which operates direct flights to 23 destinations from Kuala Lumpur, is strengthening its presence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), North Asia, Central Asia, and Australia. With Malaysia preparing for its “Visit Malaysia 2026” year, this new connection offers travelers from Turkey the opportunity to discover the region's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant cities.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said, "We are very proud to announce the new flights between Istanbul (SAW) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL), which will commence on November 14. These two dynamic cities, which bring Asia and Europe closer together, offer significant opportunities in terms of trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. Our guests can easily connect to Indonesia, Australia, Singapore, China, Thailand, and many other destinations without having to recheck their luggage thanks to our Fly-Thru service via Kuala Lumpur. Similarly, passengers from Southeast Asia can now easily reach Turkey's unique beauty. As the world's best low-cost airline, we continue to make long-haul travel accessible to everyone and offer a comfortable flight experience," he said.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Malaysia, Mr. Emir Salim Yüksel, said: "We are delighted to establish another new connection between our countries. This route will increase interaction between our peoples and make important contributions in cultural and economic terms. Malaysia is a geographically distant but emotionally close neighbor. Despite the distance between us, our hearts are always close. I believe that such concrete steps will bring the Turkish and Malaysian people together more often and strengthen the bonds of friendship. I congratulate everyone who contributed to the launch of this new route."

The new Kuala Lumpur–Istanbul route takes AirAsia X's vision of establishing affordable, long-haul connections between Asia and Europe via Malaysia one step further. The airline continues to hold the title of the world's best low-cost carrier thanks to its innovative approach, accessibility, and the high value it offers.